UEFA asks Israel to assure safety of visiting clubs

JERUSALEM, July 27 (Reuters) - UEFA, has written to the Israeli FA asking them to provide added safety assurances for clubs due to visit the country to face local opponents in European competitions.

The request came after a meeting of UEFA's Emergency Panel
in Switzerland which discussed the security situation in Israel
resulting from the conflict in Lebanon.

'UEFA (today asked) for written assurances from the both FA
and the relevant public authorities involved, guaranteeing
safety and security around UEFA matches to be played in the Tel
Aviv area,' the statement said.

The letter also called for the Israeli FA to submit a backup
plan to UEFA in the event that the security situation in the
Jewish state deteriorates.

'We have thoughts and plans in the event that things get
worse, but I sincerely hope they will not be needed... in the
meantime matches will be played in the Tel Aviv area,' Israeli
FA chairman Iche Menahem told Israel Radio.

Security fears have increased in the Jewish state as a
result of the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah which began
earlier this month.

Israeli clubs had feared that European soccer's governing
body might decide to move matches out of the country for the
Champions League and UEFA Cup qualifying rounds which are due to
be played next month.

Maccabi Haifa are in the third qualifying round of the
Champions League, while Hapoel Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem and
Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv are due to play in the second qualifying
round of the UEFA Cup.

The clubs' opponents will be determined at the UEFA draw to
be made on Friday.

International soccer returned to Israel in April 2004 after
a 25-month ban due to a worsening of the security situation in
the country. Matches can only be played in the Tel Aviv area.

Between March 2002 and April 2004 Israeli teams had to host
opponents in a number of European venues including Cyprus,
Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria.